Chasing Wonder: A Playful Family Photo Session at Dobbs Ferry Waterfront Park

Some family sessions are all about the perfect pose—but not this one. This was a session about adventure, curiosity, and a two-year-old who had zero interest in sitting still (and honestly, who can blame him?).

Dobbs Ferry Waterfront Park was the perfect backdrop for this session: wide open spaces, the sparkling Hudson River, and plenty of places for a little explorer to roam free. From the moment we arrived, this little guy made it clear—this wasn’t a photoshoot, it was a mission. A mission to touch every leaf, throw every rock, and run full speed ahead into the wind.

His parents, the most laid-back and loving duo, embraced the chaos with laughter, following their son’s lead as he zigzagged from the waterfront to the grassy fields. We documented the in-between moments—the giggles as he found the ‘best’ stick, the way he held onto dad’s hand just long enough before taking off again, and the way mom scooped him up mid-run for the biggest, warmest hug. These are the moments that tell the real story of family.

Sure, we got some “everyone-look-at-the-camera” shots (miraculously!), but the real magic? It’s in the movement, the freedom, the tiny hands clutching treasures from nature. It’s in the way childhood looks when you let it unfold naturally.

So here’s to two-year-olds who lead the way, parents who roll with it, and family sessions that feel more like playdates. Because in the end, those are the moments worth remembering.